Circle-swing.



S. MoRAE & J. H. BLOM.

CIRCLE SWING.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. a, 1913.

1,124,770. Patented Jan. 12,1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Witneaaes S. MQRAE & J. H. BLOM. CIRCLE SWING.

APPLICATION FILED NOV; a, 1913.

1 1 24,770. Patented Jan. '12, 1915.

.4 sunrs-snn'm 2 I! L a Witncaaeb Int/China 2M 6 y v M 4 i tlruqy'.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON. D. C.

S. MoRAE 6: J. H. BLOM.

GIRULE SWING.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8, 1913.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3. [9 d A a Invenbm-a Witnesses THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHDTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D C.

S- MoRAB & J. H. BLOM.

CIRCLE SWING. APPLIOATION FILED NOV. a, 1913.

I Patented Jan. 12; 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

J NWJ/ X :iii/m u WW I'm/enter? Samuel FR-ae Witnesses warren sra'rngs rarer orrrcr.

SAMUEL. MGRAE aim J'GHN 1r. BLQM, or

cnnrnrroear. AEROP-LANE COMPANY, TION or wAsr-ime'ron.

EVERETT, WASHINGTON,.ASSIG1\TORS TO, THE

E EVERETT, WASHINGTON, A oonr'oRA- CIRCLE-SWING.

Specification of Letters Ifatent. Pate t d .12 1915 Application filed November 8, 1913. Serial- No. 799,851.

straining cables connecting ea-eh car with the- The device thus resembles a circle drum. swing in which planes are mounted on the cars to support them after they" leave the speedway or trackway, over which they travehby reason of the increased speed of revolution coupled with the action of the centrifugal force developed.

The object of our invention is to provide an amusement device which shall simulate traveling by an automobile at increasing speed and concluding with a trip through the air, returning to the place of starting by a smooth, gliding movement.

The construction and operation are simple, safe, and secure, and the device is under absolute control so as to eliminateas fully as possible the dangers which are so frequently associated with high-speed automobiles and free aeroplanes.

That of which our invention consists will be particularly set forth inthe claims terminating this specification.

In the accompanying drawings we have shown our invention embodied in the form now preferred by us.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of our invention with the parts in position ofirest. Fig. Q'is a similar view with the parts in position of motion. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one side of the device with the parts in position of rest. Fig. 4: is an elevation of the same characterexcept that the parts are in position of motion. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a car showing the speedway or trackway upon which it runs, and showing also the manner of attaching the controlling lines to the car,

Fig. 6 is an elevation of such a car upon the tracl way,'the trackway and the inner wall or abutment being shown in section. Fig. '1

of considerable diameter.

shows the guide sheaves for the tension linesand the tension weight.

The construction'which we at present pre fer and have chosen for illustration, is as follows: A; central tower 1 has a central shaft I mounted to turn in bearings' and at 1ts upper end carrying a "drum or wheel'lO This shaft and drum are to be turned by any suitable application of power. As the manner of applying power thereto is largely immaterial, we have not, shown the power plant.

Surrounding the tower and concentric thereto, is a trackway 2, which has been shown as approxlmately level, although it may be banked if-desired. This trackway should have a smooth surface, such for instance as may be given to concrete or asphalt construction, and should have an inner marginal wall or outwardly facing traokway 20, the outer face of which should be truly concentric with the aXis of rotation of the drum shaft 11. y We also prefer that this be provided with a' wheel-receiving groove 21 in its outwardly facing surface,"

for the reception of a wheel of the car.

A series of cars. 4 is car has wheels 4:0 for running on the horizontal trackway, and a horizontally facing wheel ll adapted to engage facing surface of inner wall 20. WVhen this wall face is provided with a groove 21, the wheel 4:1 would enter said groove.

provided and each the outwardly The detailed construction of the cars (which are wedge-shaped) is not shown eX- cept that each car has a frame 42 and wheels 40- and 41, and forward and aft means for attachment of the lines.- The axles for wheels 40 are fixedly secured to the cars in a position radial accommodating means are not illustrated as these may be made of anything found suitable and their character has no essential relation to our" invention. The car is provided with one or more lifting planes, as 6 and 60, which may be of any suitable construction. With proper proportioning and construction, no provision for adjustment when in use is needed. 7

From the periphery of wheel ordrum 10 extend two main or restraining lines 3 to each car, connected to opposite ends" of the to the tower. The passengerframe to the frame of car next ahead and behind extend spacing lines 51, which should be slightly longer than needed to connect consecutive cars.

From wheel or drum 10 extends a series of tension lines 5 connecting with spacing lines 51 at a point about half way between cars. The tension lines 5 connect at one end with spacing lines 51, and at the other end pass through sheaves 7, which are suspended from the drum 10, so that the sheaves may turn and swing in accordance with the direction of lead of the tension lines. The point of connection of thetension lines with the drum 10, through themedium of sheaves 7,

is about ninety degrees back of the point where themain or restraining lines 3 of the adjacent cars are attached. The inner ends of all tension lines are secured to a weight 50, which may rise and fall and which thus maintains a constant tension upon all lines and a uniform position for, all.

The operation of our device is as follows:

- The parts when at rest will occupy the position shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 6, the cars resting upon the trackway and held against the vertical wall 20 at the inner side of the trackway, by the tension communicated through the tension lines 5. The tension weight 50 will be in its lowermost position. The lines will lead to the wheel or drum 10, in the mannershown in Fig. 1, the tension lines 5 being substantially radial and the main lines 3 substantially tangential to the drum. In this position of the main lines, power is applied to the wheel or drum 10, to produce a pull upon the cars in a direc tion to one side of the normal, in an amount proportioned to the radius of the drum. As the resistance to movement of the cars will bereduced to a minimum, this will be sufficient to start the cars in motion. As the cars acquire speed centrifugal force will be developed which will cause them to pull out from the wall 20 and will also tend to advance the restraining lines in their angular position relative to the drum 10, approaching to positions where the main lines are more nearly radial to the drum. As the cars draw out from the wall 20, they separate slightly from each other, but this is compensated by the spacing lines 51 drawing more nearly straight. As this occurs, the tension lines are drawn out and the weight 50 raised. When the cars reach a certain velocity, the foreign power is disconnected from the wheel or drum 10 and the cars are kept in motion by their own momentum, and the action of the planes upon the air will have caused them to rise from the trackway, in which condition the frictional resistance will be reduced and an increase in speed of movement will be possible. When under full movement in the air, the cars will advance angularly upon the drum and the main, lines 8 approachmore nearly to a radial position as shown in ig. 2. This will also permit the cars to fly at somewhat greater-distance from the tower. As the momentum is expended, the speed of movement through the air is lessened and the strain upon all lines is reduced, the cars descend to the trackway by a very gentle, gliding movement similar to the alighting of a bird, and when at rest the cars and lines than it does when the plane has lifted tov a higher level. This feature acts as an automatic means to prevent the planes from rising far from the trackway.

We also provide what we call an altitude line, 8, which connects all the main lines at a certain distance from the center. The length of the connecting sections of this line is made such that it becomes taut when the outward movement of the cars reach a cer tain position, after which the altitude lines will not permit their going farther.

By reason of the change in angular position of the main lines between positions of rest and motion, the points of connection of the altitude line with the main lines will be nearer the tower when cars are at rest than when they are in motion. In consequence, the sections of the altitude line become slack and these points are capable of drawing to higher levels when the cars are at rest than they will occupy when under full motion. As soon as the cars move out sufficiently to tighten the altitude line, the main lines at these points will be drawn down. The difference in the position of the main lines under these conditions is shown in Figs.

3 and 4.

The fact that two restraining lines 3 are secured to each car, and that the points of attachment of these are at points considerably separated fore-and-aft, serves to keep the car pointed in the right direction. The point of attachment of these lines to the car should preferably be slightly above the cen ter of action of the centrifugal force cleveloped, so that there will be a slight banking of the aeroplane sufiicient to give it a certain tendency to fly in a curve.

The connection of the aeroplanes in an endless chain by the spacing lines 51, keeps them at proper and regular intervals. The connection of these lines at forward and rearward points of the frame and the yielding tension strain maintained thereon, tend to prevent fore-and-aft dipping of the aeroplanes, thus securing steady, even flight.

It is evident that many changes may be made in the detail of construction of our ijfaegtvo device without changing the principles employed. The construction which has been described in detail is not the only one which it is intended our invention shall cover, but

only that which is now preferred by us.

lVe claim as our invention' 1. An amusement device comprising a series of areoplanes and lines directly connecting them to form an endless chain thereof, means for propelling the aeroplanes, and means for controlling their movement within a circular path comprising lines extending from each aeroplane to a central point.

2. An amusement device comprising a se ries of aeroplanes and lines directly connecting them in an endless chain, and a revolving anchorage to which all the aeroplanes are connected by restraining and driving lines.

3. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes and lines connecting them in an endless chain, a revolving anchorage to which all the aeroplanes are connected by horizontally extending restraining and driving lines, and means restraining the aeroplanes to movement without a given circle.

4:. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes and lines connecting them in an endless chain, a revolving anchorage to which all the aeroplanes are connected by restraining and driving lines, and a circular trackway for the aeroplanes having an outwardly facing trackway surface.

5. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes and lines connecting them in an endless chain, a revolving anchorage to which all the aeroplanes are connected by restraining and driving lines, and a circular trackway for the aeroplanes having both upwardly facing and outwardly facing trackway surfaces.

6. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes and lines connecting them to form an endless chain, a circular track- Way having both upwardly facing and outwardly facing traclrway surfaces, wheels carried by the aeroplanes for engaging both said trackway surfaces, lines extending from the aeroplanes toward the center, and a rotative member to which said lines are attached at a distance from the center.

7. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes and lines connecting them to form an endless chain, means for producing a yielding tension on said connecting lines, a circular trackway having both upwardly facing and outwardly facing trackway surfaces, wheels carried by the aeroplanes for engaging both said trackway surfaces, lines extending from the aeroplanes toward the center, and a rotative member to which said lines are attached at a distance from the center.

8. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, lines extending from the aeroplanes toward a common central point, an elevated r'evol'uble member to which the inner ends of said lines are connected at a distance from its center of revolution, and means independent of the radially extending lines for maintaining the spacing between the aeroplanes.

9. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, lines extending from the aeroplanes toward a common central point, an elevated revoluble member to which the inner ends of said lines are connected at a distance from its center of revolution, and spacing lines connecting the aeroplanes in an endless chain.

10. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, lines extending from the aeroplanes toward a common central point, an elevated revoluble member to which the inner ends of said lines are connected at a distance from its center of revolution, spacing lines connecting said aeroplanes in an endless chain, and tension means applied to said spacing lines.

11. An amusement device comprising a ries of aeroplanes, spacing lines connecting the aeroplanes to form an endless jchain, lines extending from each aeroplane toward a common center, a rotative wheel to the periphery of which said latter lines are connected, tension lines connecting the spacing lines with the said rotative wheel, guides carried by said wheel through which the tension lines pass, and a tension-producing weight secured to said tension lines.

12. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, spacing lines connecting the aeroplanes to form an endless chain, a rotative member placed centrally of said aeroplanes, and tension lines connecting said spacing lines with said central rotative member.

13. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, spacing lines connecting the aeroplanes to form an endless chain, tension lines extending from each spacing line to a central point, and a yielding ten sion-producing means acting upon all the tension lines.

14. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, spacing lines attaching said aeroplanes in series to form an endless chain, the points of connection of said lines with the aeroplane framesbeing at points considerably separated from front to rear. means for propelling said aeroplanes and means for constraining their movement within determined circular paths.

15. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, spacing lines attaching said aeroplanes in series to form an end less chain, the points of connection of said lines with the aeroplane frames being at its iio

ins

its

points considerably separated from front to rear, combined restraining and driving lines extending from the aeroplanes to the central part of their path of movement, and a rotative member to which said lines are connected.

16. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, spacing lines connecting said aeroplanes to form a continuous chain, restraining lines connecting with front and rear points of the aeroplane frame and extending from said points to a central point.

17. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, spacing lines connecting said aeroplanes to form a continuous chain, restraining lines connecting with front and rear points of the aeroplane frame and extending from said points to a central point, and means for driving the aeroplane through said restraining lines.

18. An amusement device comprising an aeroplane, two restraining lines connected with the aeroplane at points which are, re spectively, toward the front and rear of the aeroplane frame, and a horizontally distant anchorage connection with said lines.

19. An amusement device comprising an aeroplane, two restraining lines connected with the aeroplane at points which are, respectively, toward the front and rear of the aeroplane frame, a horizontally distant anchorage connection for said lines, and means for moving said anchoring point about a center.

20. An amusement device comprising an aeroplane, a restraining line extending from the aeroplane to a horizontally distant anchorage, the connection of said lines with the aeroplane being at a point slightly above the center of gravity of the aeroplane, to thereby produce a slight banking of the aeroplane.

21. An amusement device comprising an aeroplane, a pair of restraining lines respectively connected with the aeroplane at points which are materially separated from front to rear and slightly above the center of gravity of the aeroplane, and a horizontally distant anchorage connection for said lines.

22. An amusement device comprising an aeroplane, a pair of restraining lines respectively connected with the aeroplane at points which are materially separated from front to rear and slightly above the center of gravity of the aeroplane, and a member rotative about a vertical axis to which the distant ends of the restraining lines are connected at a distance from its axis of rotation.

23. An amusementdevice comprising a series of aeroplanes, a pair of restraining lines connecting with each aeroplane, respectively at front and rear parts of the frame thereof, spacing lines connecting the front and rear of the aeroplanes to form an end less chain, and a centrally placed member to which all of said restraining lines are connected.

24. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, a pair of restraining lines connecting with each aeroplane, respectively at front and rear parts of the frame thereof, spacing lines connecting the front and rear of the aeroplanes to form an endless chain, a centrally placed member to which all of said restraining lines are connected, tension lines connected with the middle part of the spacing lines and extending to the center, and a tension-producing means connected with the inner ends of the tension lines.

25. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, a central tower, a rotative member at the top of said tower, restraining lines connecting said rotative member with the respective aeroplanes, and an altitude line connecting intermediate parts of all the restraining lines.

26. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, a central tower, a rotative member at the top of said tower, restraining lines connecting said rotative member with its respective aeroplanes, and an altitude line connecting intermediate parts of all the restraining lines, said altitude line hanging slack between the restraining lines while the aeroplanes are stationary and becoming taut when the aeroplanes get in full flight.

27. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, a central elevated tower, a wheel or drum-like member of material diameter secured to turn about a vertical axis at the top of the tower, restraining lines connecting each aeroplane with the periphery of said wheel, spacing lines connecting successive aeroplanes to form an endless chain, tension lines connected with said spacing lines, guides carried by said wheel through which the tension lines pass, and yielding tension-producing means secured to the inner ends of said tension lines.

28. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, a central elevated tower, a wheel or drum-like member of material diameter secured to turn about a ver-, tical axis at the top of the tower, restraining lines connecting each aeroplane with the periphery of said wheel, spacing lines connecting successive aeroplanes to form an endless chain, tension lines connected with said spacing lines, sheaves flexibly supported from said wheel through which the tension lines pass, and a weight secured to the inner ends of the tension lines.

29. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, a central elevated tower, a wheel or drum-like member of material diameter secured to turn about a vertical axis at the top of the tower,restraining lines connecting each aeroplane with the periphery of said wheel, spacing lines Connecting successive aeroplanes to form an endless chain, tension lines connected with said spacing lines, guides carried by said wheel through'which the tension lines pass, the tension and restraining lines for like aeroplanes leading to points on said wheel separated by a material peripheral angle, and tension-producing means connected with the tension lines.

30. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, spacing lines connecting them in an endless chain, a central elevated tower, a wheel of material diameter mounted to turn about a vertical aXis at the top of the tower, restraining and driving lines connecting the periphery of said wheel with the aeroplanes, a trackway for the aeroplanes, an outwardly facing trackway, and a side facing wheel carried by each aeroplane and adapted to engage said outwardly facing traclrway.

31. An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, spacing lines connect ing them in an endless chain, a central'elevated tower, a Wheel of material diameter mounted to turn about a vertical aXis at the top of the tower, restraining and driving lilies connecting the periphery of said wheel with the aeroplanes, an altitude line connecting all of the restraining lines at a point intermediate their length, a trackway for the aeroplanes, an outwardly facing circular trackway, and a side facing wheel carried by each aeroplane and adapted to engage said outwardly facing trackway.

An amusement device comprising a series of aeroplanes, spacing lines connecting them in an endless chain, a central elevated tower, a wheel of material diameter mounted to turn about a vertical aXis at the top of the'tower, restraining and driving lines connecting the periphery of said wheel with the aeroplanes, tension lines connected with the spacing lines, guides on the rotative and driving wheel receiving the tension lines at points back from the points of attachment of the restraining lines for corresponding aeroplanes, a Weight carried by the inner ends of the tension lines, a trackway for the aeroplanes, an outwardly, facing circular trackway, and a side facing Wheel carried by each aeroplane and adapted to engage said outwardly facing track- Way.

33. An amusement device comprising a circular trackway having a raised wall about its inner edge the outwardly facing surface of said wall being circular and forming a supplemental trackway, an aeroplane having Wheels to engage the horizontal and vertical trackways, restraining lines extending from the aeroplane inward, and means whereby the aeroplane may move outward from said wall as the aeroplane acquires speed.

84. An amusement device comprising a circular trackway having a raised wall about its inner edge "the outwardly facing surface of said wall being circular and forming a supplemental trackway, an aeroplane having Wheels to engage the horizontal and vertical trackways, restraining lines extending from the aeroplane inward on lines diverging forwardly of a radius, and means for producing a strain upon said restraining lines and for maintaining their direction forward of a radius.

SAMUEL MCRAE'. JOHN H. BLOM.

\Vitnesses: I

' SOHUYLER DURYEE, PERCY GARDINER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

